Lifecycle GHG emissions for bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass: potential of jute and kenaf feedstock from an Indian perspective

Energy security and the transition to a thriving low-carbon economy are essential for a developing nation like India. We examined the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and environmental impact of bioetha­nol production from jute and kenaf feedstock. It was observed that net GHG emissions from crop production and bio-refinery from jute and kenaf ethanol were 3.45 and 5.88 g MJ^–1 respectively. This result is much lower than any other feedstock like sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, rice straw and wheat straw. Life cycle assess­ment revealed that ethanol produced from jute and kenaf biomass can reduce GHG emissions by 78–81% when compared with petrol. Bioethanol has the least negative effects (rice straw > sugarcane bagasse > wheat straw > corn stover > jute, kenaf) on the environment and resource depletion. It might deliver 60% of the ethanol requirement annually and may prove to be a workable technology for meeting ethanol-to-petrol blend targets.